Preformed decorative wrapper and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A preformed decorative wrapper for covering a flower pot has an open upper end, an open lower end, and a sidewall extending therebetween. At least a portion of the preformed decorative wrapper extends beyond an upper end of the pot and at least a portion of a lower end of the flower pot extends through the open lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper. An opened flexible sleeve is disposed over at least a portion of the pot and over at least a portion of the preformed decorative wrapper surrounding the pot for securing the preformed decorative wrapper about the pot.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of provisionalapplication U.S. Ser. No. 60/684,023, filed May 24, 2005, the contentsof which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to floral packaging, and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to wrappers for coveringflower pots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a wrapper constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIG. 1 secured to aflower pot with a flexible sleeve.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention and having an angularly patternedupper end.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention and having a plurality ofextending portions connected to an upper edge thereof and havinginwardly curved lower edge.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention, the wrapper having tapered sides,a non-linear upper edge and an inwardly curved lower edge.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention, the wrapper having a non-linearupper edge and an inwardly curved lower edge.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention, the wrapper having a linear upperedge an inwardly curved lower edge.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention, the wrapper having a linear upperedge having centrally disposed slits along the upper edge and furtherhaving an inwardly curved lower edge.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention, the wrapper having a linear upperedge having centrally disposed slits positioned on opposite ends.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention and having a pointed upper edge.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention, the wrapper having sides thatangle outwardly from a lower end.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention, the wrapper having a decorativeextension attached thereto.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of another wrapper constructed inaccordance with the present invention and having a scalloped upper edge.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a wrapper secured to a flower pot witha decorative cover or second pot and a bonding material.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a wrapper secured to a flower pot witha band.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a wrapper secured to a flower pot witha decorative cover or a second pot.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a wrapper secured to a flower pot witha wrapping material.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a wrapper having a decorative printedpattern disposed thereon, the wrapper secured to a flower pot with adecorative cover or second pot.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a wrapper having a scalloped upperedge, the wrapper secured to a flower pot with a decorative cover or asecond pot.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a wrapper having a detachable upperportion and disposed about a flower pot having a floral groupingdisposed therein, the wrapper secured about the flower pot with adecorative cover or a second pot.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a wrapper having a detachable upperportion and disposed about a flower pot having a floral groupingdisposed therein, the wrapper secured about the flower pot with adecorative cover or a second pot.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIG. 21 with the upperportion of the wrapper removed.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a wrapper having a non-tubular,non-conical shape, the wrapper secured about a flower pot with adecorative cover or a second pot.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a wrapper having an angularly patternedupper end, the wrapper secured to a flower pot with a band.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a wrapper having an angularly patternedupper end, the wrapper secured to a flower pot with a decorative coveror a second pot.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a wrapper having an angularly patternedupper end, the wrapper secured to a flower pot with a flexible sleeve.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a wrapper having an extension, thewrapper secured to a flower pot with a band.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a wrapper having an extension, thewrapper secured to a flower pot containing a floral grouping with adecorative cover or a second pot.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a wrapper having an extension, thewrapper secured to a flower pot containing a floral grouping with aflexible sleeve.

FIG. 30 contains perspective views of a method of wrapping a flower potwith a wrapper, wherein the wrapper is removed from a plurality ofwrappers formed in a pad and then disposed and secured about a flowerpot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a decorative plant package andmethods of assembly thereof. Broadly, the decorative plant packageincludes a flower pot or other pot or container having an upper end, alower end, an outer peripheral surface, and an interior space. The potmay have a botanical item or floral grouping disposed therein. Thedecorative plant package further comprises a preformed decorativewrapper having an open upper end, an open lower end, and a sidewallextending therebetween. The preformed decorative wrapper has flattenedand open conditions and is provided with an inner surface surrounding aninner retaining space when disposed in the open condition. The packageis constructed by placing the preformed decorative wrapper about theouter peripheral surface of the pot so that at least a portion of theinner surface of the preformed decorative wrapper surrounds and engagesa portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot. At least a portionof the preformed decorative wrapper extends beyond the upper end of thepot and at least a portion of the lower end of the pot extends throughthe open lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper.

In one embodiment, the open lower end of the preformed decorativewrapper is disposed adjacent an upper one-half of the pot. In anotherembodiment, the open lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper isdisposed adjacent an upper one-third of the pot. In yet anotherembodiment, the open lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper isdisposed adjacent an upper one-fourth of the pot.

In one embodiment, a preformed flexible sleeve having a flattenedcondition is provided, and the opened flexible sleeve is disposed overat least a portion of the pot and over at least a portion of thepreformed decorative wrapper surrounding the pot. The flexible sleevesecures the preformed decorative wrapper about the pot.

In another embodiment of the invention, a securing element serves tohold the preformed decorative wrapper in a position about the pot. Thesecuring element may be disposed upon a portion of at least one of theopen upper and lower ends of the preformed decorative wrapper.

In yet another embodiment, a preformed decorative cover, such as but notlimited to, an overpot, may be used for securing a portion of thepreformed decorative wrapper surrounding the pot once the preformeddecorative wrapper has been disposed about the pot.

Alternatively, the preformed decorative wrapper may be disposed into theinterior space of the pot, and a portion of the open lower end of thepreformed decorative wrapper is secured to the upper end of the innersurface of the pot.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail byway of exemplary drawings and description, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings and description.The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced orcarried out in various ways. As such, the language used herein isintended to be given the broadest possible scope and meaning; and theembodiments are meant to be exemplary—not exhaustive. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The present invention is a decorative plant package for decorating andcovering flower pots, flower pots having floral groupings (plants)therein, floral vases or bowls, floral groupings comprising cut flowers,floral groupings disposed in a “non-pot” floral holding material such asa form or fiber block, as well as a decorative package for non-pot ornon-plant items such as gifts, gift baskets or boxes, Easter baskets,food baskets or boxes such as fruit or candy baskets or boxes, and otherboxed or unboxed items. The decorative plant package contemplated hereincomprises a preformed decorative wrapper that may be placed on theinside or outside of such container and secured thereto. The preformeddecorative wrapper may be secured about the container via a securingelement, or by a preformed flexible sleeve or preformed decorative coverdisposed about the preformed decorative wrapper disposed about thecontainer.

The terms “flower pot” and “pot”, as used herein, refer to containersused for holding floral groupings or potted plants. Examples of suchflower pots are clay pots, plastic pots and the like. The flower potdefines a receiving space adapted to receive floral groupings and pottedplants. The floral grouping may be disposed within the receiving spaceof the flower pot along with a suitable growing medium, a floral foam orcombinations thereof. It will also be understood that in some cases thefloral grouping, and any appropriate growing medium or other retainingmedium, may be disposed in a flower pot cover or sleeve without theflower pot if the flower pot cover is adapted to contain the growingmedium.

The term “floral grouping” as used herein refers to cut fresh flowers,artificial flowers, a single flower, other fresh and/or artificialplants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plantsand/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials which add to theaesthetics of the overall floral arrangement. The floral grouping maycomprise a bloom or foliage portion and a stem portion. However, it willbe appreciated that the floral grouping may consist of only a singlebloom or only foliage. The term “floral grouping” may be usedinterchangeably herein with the term “floral arrangement”.

The term “preformed” as used herein, refers to an object that has beenformed into the condition in which it is used prior to its use. This isin contrast to a sheet of material, which does not have a formed shapein absence of an object. A sheet of material requires that it be formedabout an object, whereas a preformed cover or sleeve is provided withseals, folds or the like which provide the cover or sleeve with itspreformed shape; optionally, the preformed cover or sleeve may be formedof a material which has shape-sustaining characteristics that maintainthe cover or sleeve in its preformed shape in the absence of an objectdisposed therein.

The terms “polymer film” and “polymeric film”, as used herein, refer topolymers of natural or artificial origin, such as a man-made polymersuch as a polypropylene or a naturally occurring polymer such ascellophane. A polymer film is relatively strong and will not tear aseasily as paper or foil.

The terms “spot” and “spots” as used herein refer to any geometric shapeof spot including, but not limited to, what is commonly referred to asstrips.

“Securing element” as used herein refers to any type of material orthing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of twoadjacent portions of material or sheets of material to effect theconnection or bonding described herein. “Securing element” may refer toadhesives and cohesives; ties; labels; elastic bands; non-elastic bands;ribbons; strings; tapes; staples; a piece of wire, tie wrap or twistties; heat sealable, sonic sealable and vibratory sealable materials;shrinkable materials; barbs, slots, holes, cuts, or other barb-typefastening means or clamps; and combinations of any of the above or anyother device capable of gathering the sheet of material to removably orsubstantially permanently form a crimped portion and secure the crimpedportion formed in the sheet of material which may be secured about anobject such as the flower pot.

Referring to FIG. 1, a decorative wrapper 10 that is preformed isconstructed in accordance with the present invention. The decorativewrapper 10 has an upper end 12, a lower end 14, and a sidewall 16extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 has an opening at theupper end 12 and an opening at the lower end 14. The open upper end 12and open lower end 14 are provided with linear edges 13 and 15,respectively. Although both the upper edge 13 and the lower edge 15 areshown in FIG. 1 as being linear, it will be understood that the upperand lower edges 13 and 15, respectively, may have any non-linearpattern, such as but not by way of limitation, geometric ornon-geometric patterns, for example, curved, scalloped, pointed, sinewave, arced, toothed, angular, crenelate, crenate, crenulate, starred,or the upper and lower edges 13 and 15 may have a combination of alinear and non-linear pattern or an irregular pattern.

The decorative wrapper 10 is initially formed in a flattened conditionand is openable therefrom. In one embodiment, the decorative wrapper 10is formed by using a pair of webs of material such as is described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,562,798, issued to Weder et al., on Oct. 8, 1996,entitled “Apparatus for Forming Sleeves”, the contents of which areexpressly incorporated herein by reference. In the flattened condition,the decorative wrapper 10 has a first sidewall edge 17 and a secondsidewall edge 18. The sidewall edges 17 and 18 may extend angularly awayfrom the lower end 14 at any angle, or any combination of angles. Inparticular, the sidewall edges 17 and 18 may extend away from the lowerend 14 between about 112.5° and about 135°. It should also be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that the sidewall edges 17 and 18may have a linear or nonlinear pattern.

The decorative wrapper 10 can also be formed employing the methoddisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,521 entitled “Cover Forming Apparatus”issued to Weder et al., on Mar. 29, 1988, which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the decorative wrapper10 may be formed by positioning a sheet of material between a female dieand a male die as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182 entitled “ArticleForming System” issued to Weder et al., on Sep. 27, 1988, which is alsohereby incorporated herein by reference.

The decorative wrapper 10 may be constructed from any suitablesubstantially flexible material that is capable of being formed into adecorative wrapper 10. For example, the decorative wrapper 10 may beconstructed out of paper (untreated or treated in any manner),cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven, unwoven, synthetic,natural and combinations thereof), a material having an appearance ortexture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth, a material havingan appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of paper,a matted material, and laminations or combinations thereof. Examples ofa material having an appearance or texture simulating the appearance ortexture of cloth are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,958, issued toWeder on May 20, 2003, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,417, issued to Weder onApr. 20, 2004; examples of a material having an appearance or texturesimulating the appearance of paper are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,403,207, issued to Weder on Jun. 11, 2002, and U.S. Pat. No.6,365,251, issued to Weder on Apr. 2, 2002. Each of the above-referencedpatents is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. When twoor more materials are utilized to construct the decorative wrapper 10,the two or more materials may be fully connected, partially connected,or not connected and simply layered together. When the two or morelayers are partially connected, the portion(s) of connection between thetwo or more layers may be any shape, such as but not limited to, one ormore spots and one or more strips. When three or more layers of materialare utilized and the three layers are partially connected, the areas ofconnection between a first and a second layer of material may be thesame as, overlap, or be different from, the areas of connection betweenthe second layer and a third layer of material.

The decorative wrapper 10 may assume any shape known in the art or thatmay be desirable for placing about a flower pot or other container. Forexample but not by way of limitation, the decorative wrapper 10 may betubular, non-tubular, conical, non-conical, or frusto-conical shaped.

The decorative wrapper 10 may further include designs or decorativepatterns which are printed, textured, colored, coated, finished, etched,and/or embossed, and combinations thereof, on at least a portionthereof. The decorative designs/patterns may be disposed on or visiblethrough at least a portion of the outer surface of the decorativewrapper 10.

In addition, the decorative wrapper 10 may have various colorings,coatings, flockings, and/or metallic finishes, or other decorativesurface ornamentation applied separately or simultaneously to at least aportion thereof. Alternatively, the decorative wrapper 10 may becharacterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent,transparent, iridescent, or the like qualities. Each of the above-namedcharacteristics may occur alone or in combination, and each surface ofthe decorative wrapper 10 may vary on the combination of suchcharacteristics.

Referring to FIG. 2, the decorative wrapper 10 is provided with an innersurface 19 surrounding an inner retaining space 20 when disposed in anopen condition. A pot 22 is provided having an upper end 24, a lower end26, and an outer peripheral surface 28. An opening 30 intersects theupper end 24, forming an inner peripheral surface 32. The decorativewrapper 10 is positioned about the outer peripheral surface 28 of thepot 22. At least a portion of the inner surface 19 of the decorativewrapper 10 surrounds and engages a portion of the outer peripheralsurface 28 of the pot 22. At least a portion of the decorative wrapper10 extends beyond the upper end 24 of the pot 22. At least a portion ofthe lower end 26 of the pot 22 extends through the open lower end 14 ofthe decorative wrapper 10. The open lower end 14 of the decorativewrapper 10 may be disposed, for example, adjacent the upper one-half,one-third, or one-fourth of the pot 22. The upper edge 13 of thedecorative wrapper 10 is positioned a distance above the upper end 24 ofthe pot 22. The lower edge 15 is positioned a distance below the upperend 24 of the pot 22.

The sidewall 16 of the decorative wrapper 10 may be contoured about theouter peripheral surface 28 of the pot 22 so that a portion of thedecorative wrapper 10 is of a smaller diameter than that of the upperend 24 of the flower pot 22. This allows a portion of the decorativewrapper 10 to be tightly disposed about the outer peripheral surface 28of the pot 22 in such a manner as to secure the decorative wrapper 10 ina position about the pot 22. Thus, the decorative wrapper 10 ispositioned above the upper end 24 of the flower pot 22 so as to preventthe decorative wrapper 10 from falling off the flower pot 22.

In another embodiment, the sidewall 16 of the decorative wrapper 10 mayalso be provided with slits such that the decorative wrapper 10 isdisposed over the upper end 24 of the flower pot 22 and inward from theupper end 24 of the flower pot 22, as described in more detail hereinbelow.

As shown in FIG. 2, the decorative wrapper 10 may further be secured tothe pot 22 by a preformed flexible sleeve 40. The sleeve 40 is providedhaving an initially flattened condition such as the sleeve described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,318,050, issued to Weder on Nov. 20, 2001, entitled“Method of Attaching a Sleeve to a Pot”, the specification of which ishereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. The sleeve 40 has anupper end 42, a lower end 44, an outer surface 46, an inner surface 48,an inner space 50 and an upper opening 52 at the upper end 42 which isopen to the inner space 50. When the sleeve 40 is opened to an openedcondition, the opened sleeve 40 is disposed over at least a portion ofthe pot 22 and over at least a portion of the decorative wrapper 10surrounding the pot 22. The sleeve 40 crimpingly secures the decorativewrapper 10 about the upper end 24 of the pot 22. It will be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that the decorative wrapper 10 maybe bondingly connected to the outer peripheral surface 28 of the pot 22with a bonding material. The bonding material may be placed on the outerperipheral surface 28 of the pot 22 or the inner surface 48 of thesleeve 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, another wrapper embodied by the present invention isdesignated therein by reference numeral 10 a. The decorative wrapper 10a has an open upper end 12 a, an open lower end 14 a, and a sidewall 16a extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 a is essentially thesame as decorative wrapper 10 except that the upper edge 13 a has anangular pattern, and the sidewall 16 a is also provided with an angularpattern.

Referring to FIG. 4, another wrapper embodied by the present inventionis designated therein by reference numeral 10 b. The decorative wrapper10 b has an open upper end 12 b, an open lower end 14 b, and a sidewall16 b extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 b is similar tothe decorative wrapper 10 a except that the upper edge 13 b has aplurality of inserts or extensions 11 b bondingly or otherwise connectedto the upper edge 13 b, such as with a securing element or bondingmaterial. In addition, the lower end 14 b has an inwardly curved loweredge 15 b. While the decorative wrapper 10 b is illustrated as having aplurality of inserts or extensions 11 b, it is to be understood that thedecorative wrappers disclosed and claimed herein may only be providedwith a single insert/extension, as described in detail herein after withreference to FIG. 12. In addition, the inserts/extensions 11 b may beformed from the same or different types of material as the decorativewrapper 10 b, and may be provided with the same or different (or none)decorative designs/patterns as the decorative wrapper 10 b. Further, theinserts/extensions 11 b may be bondingly or otherwise connected to thedecorative wrapper 10 b by any method disclosed herein or known in theart, including but not limited to, the securing elements disclosedherein. Examples of inserts/extensions that may be utilized inaccordance with the present invention are disclosed in US PatentApplication Publication Numbers US 2005/0268549 A1, published Dec. 8,2005; US 2005/0166453 A1, published Aug. 4, 2005; and US 2005/0076566A1, published Apr. 14, 2005; the contents of each of which are herebyexpressly incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 5, another wrapper embodied by the present inventionis designated therein by reference numeral 10 c. The decorative wrapper10 c has an open upper end 12 c, an open lower end 14 c, and a sidewall16 c extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 c is similar tothe decorative wrapper 10 a except that the upper edge 13 c is nonlinearand the lower end 14 c has an inwardly curved lower edge 15 c. Inaddition, the sidewall 16 c has angular tapered sidewall edges 17 c and18 c.

Referring to FIG. 6, another wrapper embodied by the present inventionis designated therein by reference numeral 10 d. The decorative wrapper10 d has an open upper end 12 d, an open lower end 14 d, and a sidewall16 d extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 d is similar tothe decorative wrapper 10 c except that a different configuration forthe sidewall edges 17 d and 18 d are shown.

As shown in FIG. 7, another wrapper embodied by the present invention isdesignated therein by reference numeral 10 e. The decorative wrapper 10e has an open upper end 12 e, an open lower end 14 e, and a sidewall 16e extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 e is similar to thedecorative wrapper 10 d except that the decorative wrapper 10 e has anupper edge 13 e that is linear.

Referring to FIG. 8, another wrapper embodied by the present inventionis designated therein by reference numeral 10 f. The decorative wrapper10 f has an open upper end 12 f an open lower end 14 f, and a sidewall16 f extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 f is similar tothe decorative wrapper 10 f except that the decorative wrapper 10 f hasat least one slit 21 f disposed along the upper end 12 f and extendinginto a portion of the preformed decorative wrapper 10 f. While theslit(s) 12 f are illustrated as being disposed along the upper end 12 fof the decorative wrapper 10 f, it is to be understood that the slit(s)12 f may be disposed along the upper end 12 f the lower end 14 f and/orthe sidewall 16 f. In addition, while the slit(s) 21 f are illustratedas being centrally disposed in FIG. 8, it is to be understood that theslit(s) 21 f may be disposed along any portion of the upper end 12 f,the lower end 14 f and/or the sidewall 16 f of the decorative wrapper 10f.

For example but not by way of limitation, another wrapper embodied bythe present invention is shown in FIG. 9 and designated therein byreference numeral 10 g. The decorative wrapper log has an open upper end12 g, an open lower end 14 g, and a sidewall 16 g extendingtherebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 g is similar to the decorativewrapper 10 f except that the decorative wrapper 10 f has at least onecentrally disposed slit 21 g positioned on opposite ends 25 g and 25 g′of the sidewall 16 g and extending therefrom.

Referring now to FIG. 10, another wrapper embodied by the presentinvention is designated therein by reference numeral 10 h. Thedecorative wrapper 10 h has an open upper end 12 h, an open lower end 14h, and a sidewall 16 h extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10h is similar to the decorative wrapper 10 a except that anotherconfiguration for an upper edge 13 h is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 11, another wrapper embodied by the present inventionis designated therein by reference numeral 10 i. The decorative wrapper10 ihas an open upper end 12 i, an open lower end 14 i, and a sidewall16 i extending therebetween. The sidewall edges 17 i and 18 i angleoutwardly from the lower end 14 i, and a lower portion 53 i of thedecorative wrapper 10 iis provided with a half-hexagonal shape.

Referring to FIG. 12, another wrapper embodied by the present inventionis designated therein by reference numeral 10 j. The decorative wrapper10 j has an open upper end 12 j, an open lower end 14 j, and a sidewall16 j extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 j is similar tothe decorative wrappers 10 b and 10 d except that at least onedecorative extension 27 j is bondingly connected to a portion of theupper end 12 j of the decorative wrapper 10 j. with a bonding material.The decorative extension 27 j is similar to the extensions 11 bdescribed herein previously with reference to FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 13, another wrapper embodied by the present inventionis designated therein by reference numeral 10 k. The decorative wrapper10 k has an open upper end 12 k, an open lower end 14 k, and a sidewall16 k extending therebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 k is similar tothe decorative wrapper 10 except that the decorative wrapper 10 k has anupper edge 13 k that has a decorative scalloped pattern.

Shown in FIG. 14 is a decorative plant package comprising a decorativewrapper 10 m illustrated in the open condition. The decorative wrapper10 m may have any of the configurations of the decorative wrappers 10-10k shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-13 and described herein above. The decorativewrapper 10 m has an open upper end 12 m, an open lower end 14 m, and asidewall 16 m extending therebetween. The open upper end 12 m and openlower end 14 m are shown having linear edges 13 m and 15 m,respectively. The opened decorative wrapper 10 m is provided with aninner surface 19 m surrounding an inner retaining space 20 m. Thedecorative plant package further comprises a pot 22 m, which has anupper end 24 m, a lower end 26 m, and an outer peripheral surface 28 m.An opening 30 m intersects the upper end 24 m of the pot 22 m, formingan inner peripheral surface 32 m. The decorative wrapper 10 m ispositioned about the outer peripheral surface 28 m substantiallyadjacent the upper end 24 m of the pot 22 m. At least a portion of theinner surface 19 m of the decorative wrapper 10 m surrounds and engagesa portion of the outer peripheral surface 28 m of the pot 22 m. At leasta portion of the decorative wrapper 10 m extends beyond the upper end 24m of the pot 22 m, and the lower end 26 m of the pot 22 m extendsthrough the open lower end 14 m of the decorative wrapper 10 m.

The decorative plant package further comprises a second pot or preformeddecorative cover 60, which has an upper end 62, a lower end 64, and anouter peripheral surface 66. An opening 68 intersects the upper end 62,forming an inner peripheral surface 70. The second pot/preformeddecorative cover 60 is positioned over at least a portion of the pot 22m and over at least a portion of the decorative wrapper 10 m. At least aportion of the second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 surrounds thelower end 14 m of the decorative wrapper 10 m. The second pot/preformeddecorative cover 60 may be formed of a flexible or rigid,shape-sustaining material. In one embodiment, the second pot/preformeddecorative cover 60 may be an overpot.

FIG. 14 depicts the second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 as having asecuring element 72, such as a bonding material, disposed on at least aportion of the inner peripheral surface 70 thereof. More particularly,the securing element 72 is depicted as being disposed on the innerperipheral surface 70 of the second pot/preformed decorative cover 60near the upper end 62 thereof. The second pot/preformed decorative cover60 secures the decorative wrapper 10 m about the pot 22 m. While FIG. 14depicts the second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 as having asecuring element 72 disposed thereon, it is to be understood that thesecuring element 72 may be disposed on the decorative wrapper 10 m, orthe pot 22 m, or any combination of the decorative wrapper 10 m, the pot22 m and the second pot/preformed decorative cover 60. In addition, nosecuring element may be utilized, and the second pot/preformeddecorative cover 60 may simply maintain the decorative wrapper 10 m in asecured position about the pot 22 m.

Alternatively, the preformed decorative wrappers of the presentinvention may be held in place about a pot without the use of a sleeve,second pot or preformed decorative cover. FIG. 15 illustrates adecorative plant package comprising a decorative wrapper 10 n that is inthe open condition and secured to a flower pot 22 n with a securingelement 80, such as a band. The securing element 80 can be appliedmanually or automatically such as by the method shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,105,599, entitled “Means for Securing a Decorative Cover About aFlower Pot”, issued to Weder on Apr. 21, 1983, which is hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference. The securing element 80 can also beapplied as a tie using a method such as described in “Single StationCovering and Fastening System”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,009, issued to Wederet al. on Mar. 11, 1997, the specification of which is hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

Any of the decorative wrappers described herein can also be appliedautomatically about the flower pot 22 n, for example, by methods shownin U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,521 entitled “Cover Forming Apparatus”, issued toWeder et al. on Mar. 29, 1988, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,721, entitled“Cover Forming Apparatus Having Voting Forming Members”, issued to Wederet al. on Mar. 8, 1994, both of which are hereby expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

The decorative wrapper 10 n may have any of the configurations ofwrappers 10-10 k shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-13 and described herein above.The decorative wrapper 10 n has an open upper end 12 n, an open lowerend 14 n, and a sidewall 16 n extending therebetween. The open upper end12 n and open lower end 14 n are illustrated in FIG. 15 as having linearedges 13 n and 15 n, respectively. The opened decorative wrapper 10 n isprovided with an inner surface 19 n surrounding an inner retaining space20 n. A pot 22 n is provided having an upper end 24 n, a lower end 26 n,and an outer peripheral surface 28 n. An opening 30 n intersects theupper end 24 n, forming an inner peripheral surface 32 n. The decorativewrapper 10 n is positioned about the outer peripheral surface 28 n ofthe upper end 24 n of the pot 22 n. At least a portion of the innersurface 19 n of the decorative wrapper 10 n surrounds and engages aportion of the outer peripheral surface 28 n of the pot 22 n. At least aportion of the decorative wrapper 10 n extends beyond the upper end 24 nof the pot 22 n and at least a portion of the lower end 26 n of the pot22 n extends through the open lower end 14 n of the decorative wrapper10 n.

The securing element 80 preferably is constructed of any materialcapable of being wrapped about a portion of the decorative wrapper 10 nin the manner described herein. Preferably the securing element 80 isconstructed of a material selected from a group of materials consistingof elastic, non-elastic, rubber, paper, metal foil, cloth (natural orsynthetic), denim, burlap, polymer film or cling material orcombinations thereof. The securing element 80 has an upper surface 82and a lower surface 84. A securing element 80 may further include abonding material disposed on at least a portion thereof, such as theupper surface 82, or the securing element 80 may be free of bondingmaterial.

With the opened decorative wrapper 10 n positioned about the outerperipheral surface 28 n of the flower pot 22 n, the securing element 80is applied over a portion of the decorative wrapper 10 n, such as butnot limited to, a portion near or adjacent to the open lower end 14 n ofthe decorative wrapper 10 n. The securing element 80 surrounds a portionof the decorative wrapper 10 n and secures the decorative wrapper 10 nabout the pot 22 n, thereby forming a crimped portion 86 in thedecorative wrapper 10 n. Preferably, the securing element 80 is placedabout the decorative wrapper 10 in a position where the crimped portion86 is formed and positioned below the upper end 24 n of the flower pot22 n with the crimped portion 86 extending circumferentially about theupper end 24 n of the flower pot 22 n.

Shown in FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a decorative plant packagecomprising a decorative wrapper 10 p secured to a flower pot 22 p with asecond pot or preformed decorative cover 60 p. The decorative wrapper 10p may have any of the configurations of wrappers 10-10 k shown in FIGS.1 and 3-13 and described herein above. The decorative wrapper 10 p hasan open upper end 12 p having an upper edge 13 p, an open lower end 14 phaving a lower edge 15 p, and a sidewall 16 p extending therebetween.The opened decorative wrapper 10 p is provided with an inner surface 19p surrounding an inner retaining space 20 p. The pot 22 p is providedhaving an upper end 24 p, a lower end 26 p, and an outer peripheralsurface 28 p. An opening 30 p intersects the upper end 24 p, forming aninner peripheral surface 32 p. The decorative wrapper 10 p is positionedabout the outer peripheral surface 28 p of the upper end 24 p of the pot22 p. At least a portion of the inner surface 19 p of the decorativewrapper 10 p surrounds and engages a portion of the outer peripheralsurface 28 p of the pot 22 p. At least a portion of the decorativewrapper 10 p extends beyond the upper end 24 p of the pot 22 p and atleast a portion of the lower end 26 p of the pot 22 p extends throughthe open lower end 14 p of the decorative wrapper 10 p.

The second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 p is provided having anupper end 62 p, a lower end 64 p, and an outer peripheral surface 66 p.An opening 68 p intersects the upper end 62 p, forming an innerperipheral surface 70 p. The second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 pis positioned over at least a portion of the pot 22 p and over at leasta portion of the decorative wrapper 10 p. At least a portion of thesecond pot/preformed decorative cover 60 p surrounds the lower end 14 pof the decorative wrapper 10 p. The second pot/preformed decorativecover 60 p surrounds the open lower end 14 p of the decorative wrapper10 p, thereby securing the decorative wrapper 10 p about the pot 22 pand forming a crimped portion 86 p. The crimped portion 86 p extendscircumferentially about a portion of the flower pot 22 p. The secondpot/preformed decorative cover 60 p secures the decorative wrapper 10 pabout the pot 22 p.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a decorative plant package is illustrated. Thedecorative plant package comprises an opened decorative wrapper 10 qsecured to a flower pot 22 q with a wrapping material 90 such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,745, issued to Weder on Sep. 13, 1994,the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference. The decorative wrapper 10 q may have any of theconfigurations of wrappers 10-10 k shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-13 anddescribed herein above. The decorative wrapper 10 q has an open upperend 12 q having an upper edge 13 q, an open lower end 14 q having alower end 15 q, and a sidewall 16 q extending therebetween. The openeddecorative wrapper 10 q is provided with an inner surface 19 qsurrounding an inner retaining space 20 q. The pot 22 q is providedhaving an upper end 24 q, a lower end 26 q, and an outer peripheralsurface 28 q. An opening 30 q intersects the upper end 24 q, forming aninner peripheral surface 32 q. The decorative wrapper 10 q is positionedabout the outer peripheral surface 28 q of the pot 22 q. At least aportion of the inner surface 19 q of the decorative wrapper 10 qsurrounds and engages a portion of the outer peripheral surface 28 q ofthe pot 22 q. At least a portion of the decorative wrapper 10 q extendsbeyond the upper end 24 q of the pot 22 q and at least a portion of thelower end 26 q of the pot 22 q extends through the open lower end 14 qof the decorative wrapper 10 q.

The wrapping material 90 has an upper surface 92 and a lower surface(not shown). The wrapping material may be provided with a bondingmaterial on a portion of the lower surface of the wrapping material 90.After positioning the decorative wrapper 10 q about the flower pot 22 q,the wrapping material 90 is wrapped about at least a portion of theouter peripheral surface 28 q of the flower pot 22 q and a portion ofthe decorative wrapper 10 q. The wrapping material 90 is connected tothe outer peripheral surface 28 q of the flower pot 22 q. A portion ofthe wrapping material 90 extends over the decorative wrapper 10 q thussecuring the decorative wrapper 10 q to the flower pot 22 q.

FIG. 18 depicts a decorative plant package that includes an openeddecorative wrapper 10 r secured to a flower pot 22 r with a secondpot/preformed decorative cover 60 r in a similar manner as shown in FIG.14, except that the opened decorative wrapper 10 r includes a decorativepattern 110 printed thereon or visible therethrough such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,347,480, issued to Weder on Feb. 19, 2002, thespecification of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

Referring to FIG. 19, an opened decorative wrapper 10 s is secured to aflower pot 22 s with a second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 s in asimilar manner as shown in FIG. 18, except that the opened decorativewrapper 10 s has an upper edge 13 s that has a decorative scallopedpattern.

FIG. 20 illustrates a decorative plant package comprising an openeddecorative wrapper 10 t, a flower pot 22 t and a second pot/preformeddecorative cover 60 t. The decorative wrapper 10 t is secured to theflower pot 22 t with the second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 t in asimilar manner as shown in FIG. 14. The flower pot 22 t is provided witha floral grouping 23 disposed therein. The decorative wrapper 10 t isdemarcated into an upper portion 120 and a lower portion 122. The upperportion 120 may function to protect the floral grouping 23, and thus theupper portion 120 of the decorative wrapper 10 t may be sized tosubstantially surround and encompass the floral grouping 23 t disposedin the pot 22 t. The upper portion 120 of the decorative wrapper 10 tmay be tapered or may assume any desired shape disclosed herein or knownin the art.

The decorative wrapper 10 is demarcated into the upper portion 120 andthe lower portion 122 by a detaching element 124, which enables thedetachment of the upper portion 120 of the decorative wrapper 10 t fromthe lower portion 122 of the decorative wrapper 10 t. The term“detaching element”, as used generally herein, means any element orcombination of elements or features which enable the tearing away ordetachment of one object from another, such as, but not by way oflimitation, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any other devices orelements of this nature known in the art, or any combination thereof.Therefore, while perforations are shown and described in detail herein,it will be understood that tear strips, zippers, or any other “detachingelements” known in the art, or any combination thereof, could besubstituted therefore and/or used therewith.

In addition, while the detaching element 124 is depicted as beinglinear, it is to be understood that the detaching element 124 may assumeany configuration described or depicted herein or known in the art.

While the decorative wrapper 10 t is depicted as being secured to thepot 22 t via the second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 t, it is to beunderstood that the decorative wrapper 10 t may be secured to the pot 22t by any securing method and/or securing element described or depictedherein or known in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, a decorative wrapper 10 u is shown securedto a flower pot 22 u with a second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 u.The flower pot 22 u has a floral grouping 23 u disposed therein. Thedecorative wrapper 10 u may have any of the configurations of wrappers10-10 k shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-13 and described herein above. Thedecorative wrapper 10 u is demarcated into an upper portion 120 u and alower portion 122 u by a detaching element 126. The detaching element126 is illustrated as being a nonlinear patterned perforation. As shownin FIG. 22, the upper portion 122 u is detached from the lower potion122 u such that the lower portion 122 u is provided with an upper edge13 u that has a nonlinear pattern.

Shown in FIG. 23 is a decorative plant package comprising an openeddecorative wrapper 10 v secured to a flower pot 22 v with a secondpot/preformed decorative cover 60 v in a manner similar to thatdescribed herein previously. The decorative wrapper 10 v has an openupper end 12 v, an open lower end 14 v, and a sidewall 16 v extendingtherebetween. The open upper end 12 v and open lower end 14 v are shownhaving linear edges 13 v and 15 v, respectively. However, it should beunderstood that the upper edge 13 v and the lower edge 15 v may have anonlinear pattern. The sidewall 16 v is nonlinear such that the openeddecorative wrapper 10 v has a non-tubular, non-conical shape.

Shown in FIG. 24 is a decorative plant package comprising an openeddecorative wrapper 10 w secured to a flower pot 22 w with a securingelement 80 w in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 15. The decorativewrapper 10 w is depicted as having an upper edge 13 w that is angularlypatterned.

Shown in FIG. 25 is a decorative plant package comprising an openeddecorative wrapper 10 x secured to a flower pot 22 x with a secondpot/preformed decorative cover 60 x in a similar manner as shown in FIG.14. The decorative wrapper 10 x is depicted as having an angularlypatterned upper edge 13 x.

Referring to FIG. 26, a decorative plant package shown therein comprisesan opened decorative wrapper 10 y secured to a flower pot 22 y with aflexible sleeve 40 y in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 2. Thedecorative wrapper 10 y is depicted as having an angularly patternedupper edge 13 y.

Referring to FIG. 27, shown therein is a decorative plant packagecomprising an opened decorative wrapper 10 z secured to a flower pot 22z with a securing element 80 z. The decorative wrapper 10 z has an upperend 12 z, a lower end 14 z, and an inner surface 19 z. The decorativewrapper 10 z is provided with an extension 120 attached thereto. Theextension 120 is preferably laminated to the decorative wrapper 10 z viaa heat seal or an adhesive seal, but it will be understood that theextension 120 can be attached to the decorative wrapper 10 z via anyattaching, connecting, or lamination method known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. The extension 120 has an upper end 122 and a lower end124. The upper end 122 of the extension 120 may be positioned above,below, or substantially adjacent with the upper end 12 z of thedecorative wrapper 10 z.

In addition, while the lower end 124 of the extension 120 is depicted asbeing above the lower end 14 z of the decorative wrapper 10 z, it is tobe understood that the lower ends 14 z and 124 may be substantiallyadjacent. Also, it is to be understood that while FIG. 27 has beendescribed herein as illustrating a wrapper with an extension, it is tobe understood that such figure will also be understood to similarlydepict a decorative plant package that comprises two wrappers that maybe attached or unattached. In one embodiment, an upper and/or lower endof one of the two wrappers may extend beyond the other (as similarlyshown in FIG. 27); alternatively, the upper ends of the two wrappers maybe substantially adjacent or flush and the lower ends of the twowrappers may also be substantially adjacent/flush.

FIG. 28 depicts a decorative plant package comprising a wrapper 10 z′formed of two layers of material 126 and 128. The preformed decorativewrapper 10 z′ is secured to a flower pot 22 z′ containing a floralgrouping 23 z′ with a second pot/preformed decorative cover 60 z′ asdescribed herein previously.

FIG. 29 depicts a decorative plant package comprising the decorativewrapper 10 z′ formed of the two layers 126 and 128 and secured to theflower pot 22 z′ containing a floral grouping 23 z′ with a flexiblesleeve 40 z′ as described herein previously.

FIG. 30 depicts a method of forming decorative plant packages of thepresent invention, the method utilizing a plurality of wrappers 10 aa.The plurality of wrappers 10 aa are stacked one on top of the other toform a pad 130 aa. However, it should be understood that the pluralityof wrappers 10 aa may also take the form of a roll, as is shown in U.S.Pat. No. 5,459,976, issued to Weder et al., on Oct. 24, 1995, entitled“Material and Adhesive Strip Dispenser”, the specification of which ishereby expressly incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. Eachdecorative wrapper 10 aa of the pad or roll of wrappers may be connectedor unconnected to the pad or roll. Preferably, each of the preformeddecorative wrappers 10 aa is releasably connected to each adjacentwrapper 10 aa to form the pad 130 aa. This allows each wrapper 10 aa tobe releasably disconnected from another wrapper 10 aa by pulling thepreformed decorative wrappers 10 aa apart.

At least one of the plurality of wrappers 10 aa is removed from the pad130 aa to provide a decorative wrapper 10 aa having an open upper end 12aa, an open lower end 14 aa, and a sidewall 16 aa extendingtherebetween. The decorative wrapper 10 aa is provided with an innersurface 19 aa which surrounds an inner retaining space 20 aa whendisposed in an open condition.

A header 132 aa is detachably connected to the upper end 12 aa of eachdecorative wrapper 10 aa. The header 132 aa is preferably provided witha support means, such as a plurality of spaced apart holes 134 aa, forallowing support of the preformed decorative wrappers 10 aa from anextension member 140 aa. A detaching element 136 aa, such as a line ofperforations, is provided for separating the header 132 aa and thedecorative wrapper 10 aa so that the decorative wrapper 10 aa can bereadily detached from the header 132 aa and positioned about a flowerpot 22 aa.

A portable extension member 140 aa is provided with at least one hook142 aa extending from the portable extension member 140 aa. While theportable extension member 140 aa is depicted as having a plurality ofspatially disposed hooks 142 aa, it is to be understood that theportable extension member 140 aa may only be provided with a single hook142 aa or three or more hooks 142 aa. The selection of the number anddisposition of the hook(s) 142 aa is within the skill of a person in theart and is therefore fully within the scope of the present invention.The portable extension member 140 aa may be capable of being secured toa person by straps (not shown). It should be understood that other meanscan be utilized for connecting the portable extension member to aperson, such as a belt, strap, a clip, or a prong. The hooks 142 aa areconnected to the portable extension member 140 aa such that the pad orplurality of wrappers 10 aa can be supported on the portable extensionmember 140 aa. While hooks have been shown for supporting a plurality ofwrappers or sleeves, any suitable support may be used, including, butnot limited to clips, wickets, staples, or straps. The portableextension member 140 aa may also be provided with a plurality ofapertures (not shown) extending vertically along the extension member tosupport the hooks so as to accommodate varying sizes of wrappers orsleeves. However, it should be understood that any such device may beused that provides support for a plurality of wrappers in accordancewith the present invention. The hooks 142 aa are adapted to be disposedthrough the holes 134 aa provided in the header 132 aa so that the hook142 aa hold the preformed decorative wrappers 10 aa in a stableposition. At least one of the preformed decorative wrappers 10 aa may bepartially or completely removed from the hooks 142 aa to place thedecorative wrapper 10 aa in an opened condition. The decorative wrapper10 aa is placed about an outer peripheral surface 28 aa of the pot 22aa. At least a portion of the inner surface 19 aa of the decorativewrapper 10 aa surrounds and engages a portion of the outer peripheralsurface 28 a of the pot 22 aa. A portion of the decorative wrapper 10 aaextends beyond an upper end 24 aa of the pot 22 aa. At least a portionof the lower end 26 aa of the pot 22 aa extends through the open lowerend 14 aa of the decorative wrapper 10 aa.

The decorative wrapper 10 aa may be secured to the pot 22 aa by any ofthe methods described herein. In one embodiment, the decorative wrapper10 aa is secured to the pot 22 a with a sleeve 40 aa, as shown in themethod of FIG. 30. Also, it will be understood by one of ordinary skillin the art that the decorative wrapper 10 aa may be bondingly connectedto the outer peripheral surface 28 aa of the pot 22 aa with a securingelement. The securing element may be placed on the outer peripheralsurface 28 aa of the pot 22 aa and/or the inner surface 48 aa of thesleeve 40 aa.

In FIG. 30, a plurality of sleeves 40 aa are shown stacked one on top ofthe other to form a pad 144 aa. Each of the sleeves 40 aa has an upperend 42 aa, a lower end 44 aa, an outer surface 46 aa, an inner surface48 aa, an inner space 50 aa, and an upper opening 52 aa at the upper end42 aa which is open to the inner space 50 aa.

A header 150 aa is detachably connected to the upper end 42 aa of eachsleeve 40 aa in a similar manner as described herein previously in thatthe header 150 aa is provided with a support element, such as aplurality of spaced apart holes 152 aa. A detaching element 154 aa, suchas but not limited to a line of perforations, is also provided forseparating the header 150 aa and the sleeve 40 aa so that the sleeve 40aa can be readily detached from the header 150 aa and positioned aboutthe decorative wrapper 10 aa and the flower pot 22 aa.

The pad 144 aa of sleeves 40 aa is shown as disposed on a portableextension member 156 aa similar to the portable extension member 140 aaand having at least one hook 158 aa extending therefrom. While twospatially disposed hooks 158 aa are shown in FIG. 30, it is to beunderstood that the portable extension member 156 aa may be providedwith a single hook 158 aa, or three or more spatially disposed hooks 158aa. It should be understood that any such device may be used thatprovides support for the plurality of sleeves. The hook(s) 158 aa areadapted to be disposed through the holes 152 aa provided in the header150 aa so that the hook(s) 158 aa hold the sleeves 40 aa in a stableposition. Each sleeve 40 aa of the pad 144 aa or roll of sleeves may bereleasably connected to each adjacent sleeve. This allows each sleeve 40aa to be releasably disconnected from another sleeve 40 aa by pullingthe sleeves 40 aa apart. The sleeve 40 aa is detached from the header150 aa and disposed about at least a portion of the pot 22 a and over atleast a portion of the decorative wrapper 10 aa surrounding the pot 10aa. The sleeve 40 aa secures the decorative wrapper 10 aa about the pot22 aa.

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention iswell-adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantagesmentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While apresently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, forpurposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changesmay be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the inventiondisclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

1. A method of assembling a decorative plant package, comprising thesteps of: providing a pot having an upper end, a lower end, an outerperipheral surface and an interior space, the pot having a floralgrouping disposed therein; providing a preformed decorative wrapperhaving an open upper end, an open lower end, and a sidewall extendingtherebetween, the preformed decorative wrapper having a flattenedcondition and an open condition wherein the preformed decorative wrapperis provided with an inner surface surrounding an inner retaining spacewhen disposed in the open condition; providing a preformed flexiblesleeve having a flattened condition; placing the preformed decorativewrapper about the outer peripheral surface of the pot wherein at least aportion of the inner surface of the preformed decorative wrappersurrounds and engages a portion of the outer peripheral surface of thepot wherein at least a portion of the preformed decorative wrapperextends beyond the upper end of the pot and at least a portion of thelower end of the pot extends through the open lower end of the preformeddecorative wrapper; and disposing the opened flexible sleeve over atleast a portion of the pot and over at least a portion of the preformeddecorative wrapper surrounding the pot such that the flexible sleevethereby securing the preformed decorative wrapper about the pot, whereinthe open lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper is disposedadjacent an upper one-half of the pot.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of: opening the flexible sleeve to an openedcondition.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing apreformed decorative wrapper, the sidewall of the preformed decorativewrapper is formed of a substantially flexible material.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a preformed decorativewrapper, the open lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper isdisposed adjacent an upper one-third of the pot.
 5. The method of claim1 wherein, in the step of providing a preformed decorative wrapper, theopen lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper is disposed adjacentan upper one-fourth of the pot.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein, in thestep of providing a preformed decorative wrapper, a design or decorativepattern is provided on at least a portion of the outer peripheralsurface of the preformed decorative wrapper by a method selected fromthe group of printing, embossing, texturing, coloring, coating, andcombinations thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step ofproviding a preformed decorative wrapper, the upper end of the preformeddecorative wrapper comprises a plurality of extending portions.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a preformeddecorative wrapper, the lower end of the preformed decorative wrapper iscontoured.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the lower end of thepreformed decorative wrapper is inwardly curved.
 10. The method of claim1 wherein, in the step of providing a preformed decorative wrapper, theupper end of the preformed decorative wrapper is contoured.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the upper end of the preformed decorativewrapper is non-linear.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step ofproviding a preformed decorative wrapper, the sidewall of the preformeddecorative wrapper is non-linear.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein, inthe step of providing a preformed decorative wrapper, the preformeddecorative wrapper has a tubular, conical, or frustoconical shape. 14.The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a preformeddecorative wrapper, a decorative printed pattern is disposed on orvisible through at least a portion of the outer surface of the preformeddecorative wrapper.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step ofproviding a preformed decorative wrapper, the upper end of the preformeddecorative wrapper has a detachable upper portion.
 16. The method ofclaim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a preformed decorativewrapper, the preformed decorative wrapper has an extension attached toat least a portion of the inner surface thereof.
 17. The method of claim16 wherein an upper end of the extension extends beyond the upper end ofthe preformed decorative wrapper.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein anupper end of the extension is substantially adjacent the upper end ofthe preformed decorative wrapper.
 19. The method of claim 1 wherein thestep of providing a preformed decorative wrapper is further defined asproviding a plurality of preformed decorative wrappers in the form of aroll or pad and removing at least one of the preformed decorativewrappers to provide a preformed decorative wrapper having an open upperend, an open lower end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, whereinthe preformed decorative wrapper is provided with an inner surfacesurrounding an inner retaining space when disposed in an open condition.20. The method of claim 19 wherein each preformed decorative wrapper ofthe roll or pad of preformed decorative wrappers is releasably connectedto each adjacent preformed decorative wrapper so the preformeddecorative wrapper can be releasably disconnected from another preformeddecorative wrapper by pulling the preformed decorative wrappers apart.21. The method of claim 1 wherein the preformed decorative wrapper isconstructed of a material selected from the group consisting of paper,cellophane, foil, polymer film, woven fabric, unwoven fabric, syntheticfabric, natural fabric, a material having an appearance or texturesimulating the appearance or texture of cloth, a material having anappearance or texture simulating the appearance of paper, a mattedmaterial, and combinations thereof.
 22. A method of assembling adecorative plant package, comprising the steps of: providing a pothaving an upper end, a bottom, an outer peripheral surface and aninterior space, the pot having a floral grouping disposed therein;providing a preformed decorative wrapper having an initially flattenedcondition, the preformed decorative wrapper comprising a tubular bodyhaving an open upper end having an upper edge, an open lower end havinga lower edge, an outer surface, an inner surface, an interior space andhaving a tapered portion, the preformed decorative wrapper having aflattened condition and an open condition; providing a preformeddecorative cover for holding the preformed decorative wrapper in aposition about the pot; opening the preformed decorative wrapper to anopened condition; placing the preformed decorative wrapper about theouter peripheral surface of the pot wherein at least a portion of theinner surface of the preformed decorative wrapper surrounds and engagesa portion of the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the potand wherein at least a portion of the preformed decorative wrapperextends beyond the upper end of the pot and at least a portion of thebottom of the pot extends through the open lower end of the preformeddecorative wrapper; and disposing the preformed decorative cover over aportion of the preformed decorative wrapper surrounding the pot, thepreformed decorative cover securing the preformed decorative wrapper ina position about the pot, wherein the open lower end of the preformeddecorative wrapper is disposed adjacent an upper one-half of the pot.23. The method of claim 22, wherein the preformed decorative cover issubstantially flexible.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein the preformeddecorative cover is substantially rigid.
 25. The method of claim 22wherein the preformed decorative cover is an overpot.
 26. The method ofclaim 22 wherein the preformed decorative wrapper is constructed of amaterial selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, foil,polymer film, woven fabric, unwoven fabric, synthetic fabric, naturalfabric, a material having an appearance or texture simulating theappearance or texture of cloth, a material having an appearance ortexture simulating the appearance of paper, a matted material, andcombinations thereof.
 27. A method of assembling a decorative plantpackage, comprising the steps of: providing a pot having an upper end, alower end, an outer peripheral surface and an interior space, the pothaving a floral grouping disposed therein; providing a preformeddecorative wrapper having an open upper end, an open lower end, and asidewall extending therebetween, the preformed decorative wrapper havinga flattened condition and an open condition wherein the decorativewrapper is provided with an inner surface surrounding an inner retainingspace when disposed in the open condition; placing the preformeddecorative wrapper about the outer peripheral surface of the pot whereinat least a portion of the inner surface of the preformed decorativewrapper surrounds and engages a portion of the outer peripheral surfaceof the pot wherein at least a portion of the preformed decorativewrapper extends beyond the upper end of the pot and at least a portionof the bottom of the pot extends through the open lower end of thepreformed decorative wrapper; and securing a portion of the open lowerend of the preformed decorative wrapper to the upper end of the outerperipheral surface of the pot, wherein the open lower end of thepreformed decorative wrapper is disposed adjacent an upper one-half ofthe pot.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of:opening the preformed decorative wrapper to the opened condition. 29.The method of claim 27 wherein at least a portion of at least one of thepreformed decorative wrapper and the pot is provided with a bondingmaterial disposed thereon for securing a portion of the open lower endof the preformed decorative wrapper to the upper end of the outerperipheral surface of the pot.
 30. The method of claim 27 wherein thepreformed decorative wrapper is constructed of a material selected fromthe group consisting of paper, cellophane, foil, polymer film, wovenfabric, unwoven fabric, synthetic fabric, natural fabric, a materialhaving an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture ofcloth, a material having an appearance or texture simulating theappearance of paper, a matted material, and combinations thereof.
 31. Amethod of assembling a decorative plant package, comprising: providing apot having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and aninterior space, the pot having a floral grouping disposed therein;providing a preformed decorative wrapper having an open upper end, anopen lower end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the preformeddecorative wrapper having a flattened condition and an open conditionwherein the decorative wrapper is provided with an inner surfacesurrounding an inner retaining space when disposed in the opencondition; disposing the preformed decorative wrapper into the interiorspace of the pot; and securing a portion of the open lower end of thepreformed decorative wrapper to the upper end of the inner surface ofthe pot.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the portion of open lowerend of the preformed decorative wrapper is secured to the upper end ofthe inner surface of the pot via a bonding material.
 33. The method ofclaim 31 wherein the preformed decorative wrapper is constructed of amaterial selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, foil,polymer film, woven fabric, unwoven fabric, synthetic fabric, naturalfabric, a material having an appearance or texture simulating theappearance or texture of cloth, a material having an appearance ortexture simulating the appearance of paper, a matted material, andcombinations thereof.